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Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1932, Page 4

The Ministerial visit to this part of the electorate has been brief, but it has been interesting, and it would appear there is another convert to the potentialities of Westland. The. Hon. MaemiLan did not have much time to spy out tlie agricultural land in this locality yesterday, and the weather was none too favourabe for outdoor excursions, hut even under those adverse conditions the Minister saw sufficient to change his preconceived opinions of the district and view it for the future in a more favourable light. We opine as the Minister moves south to-day, his knowledge will be further enlarged, and as he passes through the various settlement areas he will gain a further idea of the extended possibilities for more settlement in Westland. Mr Macmillan is essentially a farmer in his ordinary pursuits, so that his opinion of the district will be worth having, while in his future dealing with Westland in relation to agricultural affairs, lie will be able to deal more justly with a district which in regard to land and agricultural settlement, has been neglected greviously by Ministers in the past. Mr Macmillan come* with a now view of local conditions, and we may hope in respect to agricultural work, his visit will Lear fruit in the future. Regarding gold mining matters, Mr Macmillan openly confesses his lack of knowledge of the details of mining jp per at ins. But be indicated last night how willing he wa,s to. learn, and how anxious he Is to. do justice to his portfolio. This is pleasing, for. here again, the interests' of goldmining have been sadly neglected by the Government so far as practical development is concerned, for a considerable time. The open expressions of local opinion last night by experienced residents in alluvial mining, must have been of interest and instructive to the Hon. Minister who showed a disposition to profit by the information afforded. Altogether the visit proved worth while and good results should accrue in due course.